well i cannot agree with you especially on number 3 you say he is a failure as a human and a Sephiroth-clone, why is it then that Cloud is ultimatley the one to defeat Sephiroth. Are you trying to tell me that a superior clone can be defeated by someone who is a "failure".

I would have to agree that the plot is not the best i have ever seen in a game but i think that it sufices and makes the game enjoyable. There are so many elements to the story that you did no include in your analysis such as Barret's story, and the whole Cat Sith part of the story.